Treasure Beach Foundation is excited to announce 21 talented, enthusiastic University of Virginia (U VA) students will be ariving in Treasure Beach this Saturday, February 28 to assist in the local schools. They will be here for a week, working to do whatever is needed. This will include mentoring students at both the Basic and Primary Schools, teaching special classes, working on the computers, and installing playground equipment.

This is the fifth year we have sponsored a group from U VA to come to Treasure Beach. The students choose to do this instead of going on a "regular" spring break, preferring to donate their time in service where it is needed. They save their money all year to be able to afford the airfare, lodgings, meals, and activities.

And, while they are here, they will also be getting some enjoyment by going out to Floyd's Pelican Bar and riding up the coast on Dennis' Shallow Bar. We are appreciative for the special rates given to them by both Floyd and Dennis.

U VA has more than 50 such trips all over the world -- including some in the U.S. (such as to assist with Hurricane Katrina victims in New Orleans). The trip to Treasure Beach is the most popular, most probably because of the warm welcome the community gives them. Students have to apply for the trip, even though they are volunteers, because all who wish to come cannot be accommodated.

When you see the University of Virginia students on the road, walking to and from school each day, please give them a very friendly greeting!

Way to go!!

These students add much to our community. They are wonderful people. They truely helped my daughter out 2 years ago. Blessings upon them for returning. Blessings upon treasure beach foundation for working with them.

thanks karen for the wonderful kindness you have done and are doing in our community.people like you was much needed.way to go.very much appreciated.

Hi, I'm one of the students coming from the University of Virginia! I am so excited to meet everyone and get to know the kids! We're all counting down the days here. Groups that have gone in the past have told us what a wonderful experience this is and I just wanted to let everyone know how excited we are to help out!

the UVA Treasure Beach-goers are extremely excited to be coming in three days! We hope we can be of the utmost assistance with all of your needs and desires.

The UVA Treasure Beach-goers are extremely excited that we will be there in just three days! We cannot wait to get there and do all we can to help out, and enjoy ourselves thoroughly while we're at it.

Hello! I'm a student at the University of Virginia and I am incredibly excited about meeting the kids and learning more about Jamaica! I've heard all about its vibrant culture, beautiful beaches and fabulous weather - can't express how much I'm looking forward to being there and helping out!

I'm another student coming and I can't wait to be there and help out with on a trip that sounds like it has been vary rewarding and successful in the past. I am looking forward to it.

As another one of the UVA students coming in two days, I am so excited to get to Treasure Beach! We've heard wonderful things about the kids and are really looking forward to working with them. Can't wait!

Wishing all of you a safe trip down and when you see a crazy blonde white lady driving a white car passing you on the road and yelling out the window "Go U.V.A!" . . . Well, just know it's me.

Thanks to the UVA students and Treasure Beach Foundation for arranging this trip.

I am one of the 21 UVA students that will be arriving in Treasure Beach this Saturday. I am overly excited to work with the students at the basic and primary schools and cannot wait to experience the beauty that Treasure Beach has to offer.

The UVA students are so excited it is hard to describe. I received an e-mail sent by one of them at 3:53 a.m. from the airport in Washington, DC. They were already organized and ready for their first flight.

They have landed at MoBay and are in the vehicles headed for Treasure Beach -- after they make a stop for jerk.

Again, please give them a very warm welcome when you see them in Treasure Beach.

How are the UVA students doing?

Thank you for asking. They are doing wonderfully. They have been at the Primary and Basic Schools since early Monday morning doing whatever they can do to assist.

This is a particularly enthusiastic group of university students. We had the pleasure of spending several hours with them on Sunday -- and were very impressed with their maturity as well as their desire to make a meaningful difference.

As a point of interest, each and every one of them has made a small financial donation to our Scholarship Fund -- and we thank them for this.

They are taking lots of photos. We will post several of them here in about 10 days so you can see these students in action.

When are we going to see some photos from this trip? I would also like to get their impressions of Treasure Beach from this group of students.

I would like to see the photos.